Burning Question:
What’s an area of your life where God is calling you to stretch your faith this year?
Morning Devotional:
Fifteen percent.
That’s the average increase in new fitness center memberships in the month of January in the U.S., all thanks to the popularity of the beloved New Year’s resolution. This should come as no surprise as, according to a study I read last night, approximately half of the U.S. population make health-related goals as part of those resolutions.
It might get a little more crowded in my gym but I’m honestly not too worried about it. That same study revealed 75 percent of Americans quit pursuing their New Year’s resolutions within two months.
I am all for goal setting and making a commitment to better myself in some way, shape or form. There have been times, though, when I have shied away from doing so because of the fear of failure. I’ve struggled for a long time with perfectionism and I make it a point to avoid failure at all costs so if there’s any chance I will fall on my face, I avoid it.
It took walking with the Lord for years and a deeper understanding of a verse in 2 Corinthians to get me over that fear. The apostle Paul writes this in chapter 12: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Cor. 12:9)
None of us are going to be perfect on our walk with God. In fact, He expects us to fail from time to time. What percentage of that time is unclear but this I know – He gives us the grace and strength to get up again.
– Beth
Bible Quiz:
Question: What two kings are mentioned as the authors of Proverbs?
Answer: Solomon and Lemuel (Proverbs 1:1, 31:1)
Storytime: Korban’s Sheer Awesomeness!